American  Child  Health   Association 


The  Llaic   Cat   Field 


Sleanor   Slendower  1  Griffith 


Form  L-9-10m-3,'27 


TrT 


.ela 


na.njic    oat 


THE 


Magic  Oat  Field 

A  HealthPlay  for  Children 

By 

ELEANOR  GLENDOWER  GRIFFITH 


Illustrated  by 
JESSIE  GILLESPIE 


Child  Health  Organization  of  America 

Penn  Terminal  Building 
370  Seventh  Avenue  New  York  City 

78344 


Child  Health  Organization 

of  America 

TIJ 


;- 

o 

\>o 


FOUR  IMPORTANT  POINTS: 


1 


We  emphasize  health  as  a  positive  ideal,  presenting  health  to 
children  in  terms  of  beauty,  strength  and  joy.  Too  much 
so-called  health  education  is  merely  a  matter  of  information 
about  disease. 

2  Our  efforts  are  concentrated  on  the  formation  of  health  habits 
rather  than  the  acquisition  of  facts  in  physiology  and 
hygiene.  The  essential  laws  of  health  have  been  incor- 
porated into  the  "  Rules  of  the  Game."  It  is  fundamentally 
important  for  a  child  to  acquire  a  taste  for  and  form  the 
habit  of  eating  the  right  kind  of  food,  the  habit  of  a  thorough 
daily  bowel  movement,  of  an  early  bed  hour.  Unless  the 
health  teaching  actually  functions  in  these  practical  ways  in 
the  child's  life,  that  teaching  is  in  vain. 

We  believe  that  to  interest  the  child  in  the  significance  of  his 
weight,  is  one  of  the  best  ways  of  creating  in  him  a  health 
conscience  and  a  willingness  to  obey  the  laws  of  health. 
It  is  as  important  for  the  growing  child,  as  for  the  baby, 
to  be  weighed  regularly.  For  this  reason  there  should  be 
scales  in  every  school  and  the  children  should  be  weighed 
each  month.  We  have  devised  the  Class  Room  Weight 
Record  as  a  means  of  simplifying  and  making  attractive  this 
routine.  This  should  be  used  as  the  corner-stone  in  your 
health  education  program.  Games  and  devices  serve  to 
continue  the  group  interest  so  created. 

A  In  order  to  teach  health  effectively  we  must  capture  the  interest 
and  imagination  of  the  child  and  help  him  to  express  his 
new  enthusiasm  originally  and  creatively.  Our  posters, 
health  stories  and  plays  are  therefore  offered  merely  as 
suggestive  material. 


These  Four  Health  Plays 

The  Magic  Oat  Field 
The  Wonderful  Window 
The  House  the  Children  Built 
The  Little  Vegetable  Men 

Dramatized  From 
"Cho  Cho  and  the  Health  Fairy" 


The  Magic  Oat  Field 
CHARACTERS 

SCENE  I 

Fairy  Health  Play  Elf 

Persian  Cat  Witch 

Cho  Cho  School  Child 

Six  Children 


The  Magic  Oat  Field 

Stage  Setting:  The  Fairy's  Garden,  rustic  Bench  or  Rose 
Arbor,  center  stage  at  back — Garden  gate  at  right — Lattice 
left,  Fairy  seated  in  Rose  Arbor. 

(Enter  Cho  Cho.) 
Cho  Cho:  I  seek  Fairy  Health;  does  she  live  here? 

(Fairy  rises  and  comes  forward.) 
Fairy:  I  am  Health. 

(Cho  Cho  draws  card  from  pocket — hands  it  to 
Fairy — Fairy  reads  card.) 

Cho  Cho,  the  Friend  of  Children.    Welcome,  Cho  Cho. 
(Shakes  hands.) 

Cho  Cho:  I  come  to  view  the  wonders  of  your  garden  and 
to  learn  from  you  the  secrets  of  a  child's  heart. 

(Fairy  and  Cho  Cho  walk  to  Rose  Arbor- 
seat  themselves.) 

Cho  Cho:  Tell  me,  Good  Fairy,  how  to  make  the  children 
healthy  and  happy.  I  have  long  loved  little  children,  and 
it  grieves  me  deeply  to  see  in  our  schools  pale  faces  and  thin 
bodies.  What  is  the  reason  that  all  children  are  not  healthy 
and  happy? 

Fairy:  The  children  will  never  be  healthy  and  happy 
until  they  eat  the  right  food.  All  the  girls  and  boys  who 
helped  to  build  my  house  are  eating  a  bowl  of  delicious 
oatmeal  and  milk  at  breakfast.  I  have  a  field  of  ripening 
oats,  and  as  long  as  these  oats  grow  and  are  beautiful,  the 
oat  fields  in  all  this  country  will  flourish  and  bear  grain,  but 
if  by  any  chance  a  blight  should  come  to  my  oats,  all  other 
oats  would  die.  Then,  little  children  far  and  near  would 
cry  for  oatmeal  and  there  would  be  none  to  give  them. 

Cho  Cho:  May  I  see  your  oat  field? 


Fairy:  You  may,  indeed.  (Rises  and  walks  toward 
lattice,  Cho  Cho  following.)  I  love  to  show  my  oats,  for 
they  are  very  beautiful. 

(Exit  Fairy  and  Cho  Cho  at  left  stage.) 
(Enter  a  Persian  Cat  at  right.) 

Persian  Cat:  This  must  be  the  Fairy's  garden,  but  it 
seems  deserted.  I  will  rest  here  beside  the  Rose  Arbor 
until  she  returns,  for  I  have  something  to  tell  her. 

(Enter  Fairy  and  Cho  Cho  from  left.     Fairy 
weeping,  Cho  Cho  troubled.) 

Fairy:  My  lovely  oats  are  black  and  shriveled.  (Sobs.) 
Some  blight  has  fallen  upon  them. 

(Cat  comes  forward — bows  low  before  Fairy.) 


Cat:  Be  not  discouraged,  lovely  Fairy,  your  oats  have 
been  destroyed  by  a  wicked  Witch  named  Ignorance,  but  she 
shall  be  caught  and  punished.  Do  not  weep,  for  when  this 
Witch  is  fast  bound,  your  oats  will  spring  to  life  and  flourish 
as  never  before. 

Cho  Cho:  How  did  so  evil  a  Witch  pass  unseen  through 
the  Fairy's  garden? 

(Cat  points  to  gate  at  right.) 

Cat:  She  came  through  yonder  gateway.  I  was  walking 
by  your  garden  last  night  and  saw  her  enter.  In  her  hand  she 
carried  a  large,  strong  box.  The  moon  was  brilliant  and  I 
could  see  each  lovely  bush  and  flower,  as  I  crept  after  the 
Witch.  I  saw  her  open  the  box,  the  tiny  insects  spring  forth 
and  fly  toward  your  oat  field.  The  Witch  laughed  a  harsh 
laugh,  and  said,  "Go,  little  imps,  work  quickly  for  your  time 
is  short."  I  understand  magic,  Fairy,  and  can  change  at  will 
into  any  shape  that  pleases  me,  so  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye, 
I  became  a  witch,  too,  and  walking  slowly  forward,  I  said, 
"A  fine  night,  Madame  Witch;  what  do  you  here?"  The  old 
Witch  jumped  when  she  heard  my  voice,  but  seeing  it  was 
only  a  witch  like  herself,  she  grinned  horribly  and  said,  "I 
have  persuaded  hundreds  of  children  to  stop  eating  oatmeal, 
and  every  time  a  child  refuses  oatmeal  one  of  these  little  imps 
is  born.  Before  to-morrow  night  the  Fairy's  oat  field  will 
be  withered  and  dead.  One  thing  only  can  stop  those  imps 
of  mine,  "she  chuckled .  ' '  What  is  that,  O  powerful  Witch  ? ' ' 
I  asked.  "I  must  be  bound  fast  with  chains  of  steel.  If 
such  a  thing  could  happen  my  imps  would  quickly  die,  the 
children  eat  oatmeal  again,  and  the  field  regain  its  beauty; 
but,  ha!  ha!  no  one  can  bind  me."  She  looked  so  evil  and 
grinned  so  horribly  that  I  turned  from  her  in  disgust  and 
went  to  my  home. 

(Fairy,  wringing  her  hands.) 

Fairy:  What  shall  I  do?     Tell  me,  wise  Cat. 


Persian  Cat:  I  am  your  friend,  Fairy;  follow  me  and  I 
will  show  you  the  Witch's  home. 

Cho  Cho:  I  must  go,  too,  for  together  we  can  overpower 
this  Witch ;  but  if  you  were  alone  her  evil  magic  might  prove 
a  match  for  you,  brave  Cat. 

Cat:  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  your  company,  Cho  Cho ;  one 
needs  a  comrade  on  a  dangerous  journey. 

(All  walk  toward  gate.     Exit.) 
(Enter  left  stage,  the  "Elf  of  Play,"  a. sprite, 
dressed  in  green.    Enters  dancing  or  skipping.) 

Play  Elf ':  "What  a  lovely  garden.  (Flits  around  stage.) 
An  ideal  place  to  play  but  no  children.  I'll  rest  until  the 
school  children  pass  this  way." 

(Enter  children,  six  or  eight,  at  right  stage.) 

First  School  Child:  Let's  play  something. 

Second  School  Child:  I'm  tired  of  all  the  old  things  we 
play. 

Third  School  Child:  So  am  I,  and  tired  of  everything. 
(Throws  books  down.  Play  Elf  comes  forward  among  child- 
ren.) 

Play  Elf:  Suppose  I  teach  you  a  new  game. 
(Children  stare  at  Elf.) 

Children:  Who  are  you? 

Play  Elf:  I  am  called  the  Elf  of  Play.  I  live  in  a  beau- 
tiful country,  where  flowers  bloom  and  the  land  is  flooded 
with  sunshine.  In  my  country  children  play  all  day  long 
and  sing  as  they  play.  Shall  I  teach  you  a  game? 

Children:  Yes!  Yesl 

(Play  Elf  takes  chalk  from  dress — draws  a  line 
in  center  of  stage.) 


Play  Elf:  Now,  children,  the  game  begins  like  this. 
(Turns  to  First  Child.)  What  do  you  drink  for  your 
breakfast? 

First  Child:  I  drink  coffee. 

Play  Elf:  Too  bad,  too  bad;  you  stand  on  the  right  side 
of  the  chalk  line.  (Child  moves  to  place.)  Who  drinks 
milk? 

Second  Child:  I  do. 

Play  Elf:  Go  to  the  left  side  of  the  line.  (Child  takes 
position,  facing  First  Child.)  Does  any  one  eat  oatmeal  or 
other  cereal  for  breakfast? 

Third  Child:  Every  morning  I  eat  cereal. 

Play  Elf:  Good,  you  go  behind  my  little  friend  who 
drinks  milk.  Put  your  arms  around  her  waist.  (Child 
moves  to  place.)  That's  right.  What  do  you  eat?  (To 
the  Fourth  Child.) 

Fourth  Child:  Buns  from  the  corner  store. 

Play  Elf:  Wrong,  all  wrong.  (Shaking  her  head.) 
Your  place  is  behind  coffee. 

(Child  takes  position,  Play  Elf  directing  her.) 

Play  Elf:  Just  two  more  children — what  do  you  eat  for 
lunch? 

Fifth  Child:  My  mother  has  fried  meat. 
Sixth  Child:  We  have  green  vegetables. 
Play  Elf:  Green  vegetables  belong  with  milk  and  cereal. 
(To  Child)  Take  your  place  behind  them.     (To  Fifth  Child) 
You  go  to  coffee  and  buns. 

(Children  now  stand  facing  each  other,  three 
to  three,  arms  around  waists.) 

Play  Elf:  Now,  coffee  and  milk,  clasp  hands;  when  I 
count  three,  pull  as  hard  as  ever  you  can;  the  strongest  will 
pull  the  other  over  the  chalk  line. 


Play  Elf:  Are  you  ready? 
Children  (excitedly):  Yes,  Yes! 
Play  Elf:  One,  two,  three,  pull ! 

(Coffee  and  milk  pull.     Slowly  coffee — First 

Child — is  pulled  over  the  line  and  children 

tumble  together,  all  laughing.) 

Play  Elf:  (Clapping  hands)  Milk,  cereal  and  green  vege- 
tables are  always  stronger  than  coffee,  buns  and  fried  meat. 
Won't  you  children  promise  me  to  give  up  coffee,  buns  and 
fried  meat? 

Children:  We  will,  indeed. 

Play  Elf:  Then  catch  me  in  a  game  of  "Tag." 
(Play  Elf  dodges  children,  who  try  to  catch  her 
as  she  passes,  and  exit,  left  stage,  followed  by 
children,  all  laughing.) 

CURTAIN 

SCENE  II 
(Fairy's  Garden) 

(Enter  Fairy,  right,  limping — seems  exhausted.) 
Fairy:  Oh,  dear!  Oh,  dear  me!     (Sinks  down  upon  bench 
in  Arbor.)     I  have  walked  until  I  am  too  weary  to  move. 
(Enter  School  Child,  carrying  books,  looks  at 
Fairy.) 

School  Child:  What  is  wrong,  dear  Fairy,  you  look  so 
tired? 

Fairy:  Come  rest  beside  me,  little  one,  and  I  will  tell  you. 
(Child  draws  near — seated  at  Fairy's  feet.)  I  had  a  lovely 
field  of  oats  that  grew  and  flourished  within  my  garden. 
Last  night  a  Witch  destroyed  every  blade  of  grain.  It  lies 
beyond  that  lattice.  (Points.)  Cho  Cho  and  the  Persian 
Cat  started  in  pursuit  of  her  many  hours  ago,  and  I  accom- 


panied  them.  We  traveled  through  a  sweet-scented  forest 
for  weary  miles  until  at  last  we  reached  her  home,  but  she 
was  not  there.  One  of  her  imps  who  travel  swiftly  warned 
the  Witch  and  she  had  gone  to  Devil's  Mountain,  where  she 
thinks  to  hide.  The  Persian  Cat  and  my  friend,  Cho  Cho, 
have  followed  her  and  I  hope  soon  to  hear  news  from  them. 

Child:  What  shall  we  eat  for  breakfast,  Fairy  Health,  if 
all  the  oats  are  dead? 

Fairy:  When  the  Witch  is  bound  fast  the  oats  will  spring 
to  life,  more  beautiful  than  ever. 

Child:  Oh!  Fairy.  Suppose  they  do  not  catch  her? 
(Clasps  her  hands  distressed.) 

Fairy:  But  they  will,  my  dear. 

Child:  Can  I  do  anything  to  make  your  oat  field  gain  its 
health?  Let  me  help. 

Fairy:  Yes,  you  can  help.  Every  child  can  help,  even 
the  smallest.  The  Witch  comes  to  children  at  breakfast 
time  and  whispers  in  their  ears:  "Don't  eat  oatmeal  and 
milk."  Many  little  boys  and  girls  listen  to  her  voice  and 
leave  their  bowl  untouched.  Every  time  this  happens  a  tiny 
black  insect  is  born,  which  helps  the  Witch  to  destroy  my 
oats.  You,  Little  One,  can  go  to  school  and  tell  the  children 
all  about  this  wicked  Witch.  (Child  jumps  up  excitedly.) 

Child:  I  will  go  now.  (Crosses  to  lattice,  left,  waves 
hand  to  Fairy.)  Good-bye,  I  will  soon  be  back.  (Exit.) 

(Noise — shrill  cries  from  right  of  stage.     Fairy 
rises.) 

Fairy:  What  can  that  be? 

(Enter  Cho  Cho  and  Cat,  Witch  between  them, 
bound  with  chains,  struggling.) 


Cho  Cho:  Stand  there,  old  hag,  until  I  tell  the  Fairy  how 
I  caught  you.  The  Cat  and  I  found  this  Witch  hiding  within 
a  deep  dark  cave  and  dragged  her  out.  She  vowed  by  every- 
thing in  earth  and  heaven  that  she  never  saw  your  oat  field, 
but  we  knew  better  than  to  believe  her. 

Fairy:  How  wicked  she  must  be. 

Cat:  What  shall  we  do  to  punish  her,  good  Fairy?  You 
shall  decide. 

Fairy:  She  can  do  no  harm  where  she  is,  bound  with 
steel  chains,  so  you,  Cho  Cho,  and  you,  dear  Persian  Cat, 
punish  her  no  more,  but  send  her  forth  to  her  home. 

Cho  Cho:  No,  Fairy,  she  deserves  a  good  flogging. 
Don't  you  think  so,  Cat? 

Cat:  She  well  deserves  it,  but  the  Fairy  shall  decide. 

Fairy:  (Lays  hand  on  Cho  Cho.)  For  my  sake,  Cho 
Cho,  let  her  go. 

Cho  Cho:  Go  then,  you  ugly  Witch,  out  of  my  sight 
quickly,  for  I  long  to  beat  you  black  and  blue. 
(Witch  hobbles  off  stage,  muttering.) 
(Enter  Child,  left,  followed  by  other  School 
Children,  carrying  books,  hats  and  flowers.) 

Child:  I  have  told  them,  Fairy,  about  the  Witch. 
Children:  And  we  will  never  listen  to  her  again. 

Fairy:  Then  let  us  dance  and  be  happy.  Come,  dear 
Cat. 

(Takes  Cat's  hand,  leads  dance,  followed  by 

Cho  Cho  and  First  Child.     Other  Children 

join  in  dance.) 

CURTAIN 

78344 


CHILD  HEALTH  ORGANIZATION  of  America 


Health  \     \  '   |    /  Education 
in  Education    ^BLJ-'"      in  Health 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Dr.  L.  Emmett  Holt,  President  Owen  R.  Lovejoy 

Dr.  Thomas  D.  Wood,  Vice-President  Dr.  William  Palmer  Lucas 

Dr.  Frederick  Peterson,  Secretary  Mrs.  Gordon  Norrie 

James  G.  Berrien,  Treasurer  Mrs.  Frederick  Peterson 

Clinton  H.  Crane  Dr.  Bernard  Sachs 

Mrs.  Lyman  D.  Gilbert  Dr.  Philip  Van  Ingen 

Dr.  Samuel  McC.  Hamill  Allan  Wardwell 

Dr.  Royal  S.  Haynes  Miss  Florence  Wardwell 

Dr.  Victor  G.  Heiser  Dr.  Herbert  B.  Wilcox 

Mrs.  Franklin  K.  Lane  Dr.  C.-E.  A.  Winslow 

STAFF 

Director 

Sally  Lucas  Jean 


GOVERNMENT  PUBLICATIONS 

You  will  want  the  special  Health  Education  Series  No.  i  to  10  which  we  have  prepared  for  the 

U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education.     Order  from  Superintendent  of  Documents,  Government  Printing 

Office,  Washington,  D.  C.     Sample  set — joe. 


OUR  PUBLICATIONS 

TITLE  SPECIAL  USE 

For  the          Height-Weight  Card Gives  tables  for  boys  and  girls  5-18  years  of  age 

Weighing      Watch  Your  Weight  Tag Carries  the  message  into  the  child's  home 

Day 

Healik  Child  Health  Alphabet For  kindergartens  or  first-grade  children 

Stories  for     Cho-Cho  and  the  Health  Fairy A  supplementary  reader  for  primary  grades 

Little  Rosy  Cheeks  and  Strong  Heart A  health  reader  for  the  third  grade 

People          Rhymes  of  Cho-Cho's  Grandma Application  of  "Rules  of  the  Health  Game"  in  a  child's  day 

Everychild's  Book A  new  alphabet 

Plays,  Miss  Jenkins*  Sketch  Book History  of  our  Vegetables  and  Fruits  in  rhyme,  with  illus- 

Games  and  trations  to  be  colored 

Other  Health  Plays  for  School  Children Original  plays  by  teachers  and  pupils  of  Greater  New  Y'ork 

Devices         Health  Plays,  4  in  set Offered  as  suggestions  for  original  plays  by  children 

Milk,  the  Master  Carpenter A  leaflet  of  facts  suggesting  posters,  plays,  etc. 

Cho-Cho  Health  Game A  card  game  based  on  the  Child  Health  Alphabet 

Alphabet  Cards Carry  home  a  health  message 

Songs  of  Health  and  Joy. Health  songs  set  to  folk  song  music 

For  High      BirdseyeMapof  Healthland,28"x42".  .For  school  room  use 

School  Healthland  Flyer  Railroad  Folder         Describes  all  points  of  interest  in  Healthland 

Boys  and      Happy's  Vanity  Case Booklet —  Beauty  and  Health  for  girls 

Girls  My  Health  Book A  booklet  designed  for  adolescent  girls 

Many  Roads  to  Health A  reproduction  of  a  class  health  book 

For  Health  in  Play Suggestions  for  playground  workers  and  play  leaders 

Older            Standards  of  Nutrition  and  Growth. .. Statistical  studies  used  as  basis  of  Height-Weight  Tables 
Folks  The  Nutrition  Class How  to  organize  and  conduct  the  class 

The  Value  of  Weighing  School 

Children Authoritative  statements  by  Dr.  Holt  and  Dr.  Wood 

Posters          Decorative  Posters,  4  in  set Offered  as  suggestions  for  original  posters  by  children 

"Rules  of  the  Game"  Poster Offered  as  suggestions  for  original  posters  by  children 

Placques,  size  11"  diameter Showing  Child  Health  seal 

Healthland  Map  Exhibit  with  electric 
lights 

Price  List  furnished  upon  application 

Order  from  the  CHILD  HEALTH  ORGANIZATION  of  AMERICA 

370  Seventh  Avenue,  New  York  City 

©-1922-C.  H.  O.  20M-10-22-WHCCo. 


The  Magic  Oat  Field 

The  Wonderful  Window 

The  House  the  Children  Built 

The  Little  Vegetable  Men 


PRICE:  7  Cents  Each,  25  Cents  a  Set 


